Massage apparatus with heater

ABSTRACT

A massage apparatus is provided with a housing, and a substrate mounted for rotation to the housing and driven by a motor. A massage node and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater are mounted to the substrate. A pair of contacts and a pair of brushes maintain electrical engagement of the PTC heater with the housing during rotation of the substrate. Another embodiment provides an infrared light emitting diode (LED) beneath the massage node in electrical communication with the housing due to the contacts and brushes. Another embodiment provides a method for imparting a heated massage effect by providing a massage apparatus with a message mechanism, a PTC heater and a plurality of infrared LEDs. A massage effect is imparted and a warm-up operation is initiated of the PTC heater and the LEDs. The warm-up operation of the PTC heater is discontinued upon the massage mechanism reaching a predefined temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to massagers.

2. Background Art

The prior art has offered various kneading massagers for imparting arotary kneading or shiatsu massage effect upon a body part of a user. Arotary kneading massager is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,721 B2,which issued to Ferber et al. on Oct. 31, 2006, the disclosure of whichis incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

The prior art has also provided massagers in combination with heatingassemblies for imparting a heated massage effect to a user. One suchexample is U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0209538 A1,which published to Lev et al. on Sep. 22, 2005, and is incorporated inits entirety by reference herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention discloses a massage apparatus having ahousing, a motor oriented in the housing, and a substrate mounted to thehousing for rotation relative to the housing. The substrate is drivenfor rotation by the motor. A massage node is mounted to the substratefor providing a massage effect. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC)heater is disposed beneath the massage node. A pair of conductivecontacts are mounted to one of the substrate and the housing. A pair ofconductive brushes are each in engagement with one of the contacts, andmounted to the other of the substrate and the housing relative to thecorresponding contact for maintaining engagement during rotation of thesubstrate relative to the housing. Two of the contacts and brushes arein electrical communication with the PTC heater for conductingelectricity from the housing to the PTC heater.

Another embodiment according to the present invention discloses amassage apparatus having a housing, a motor oriented in the housing, anda substrate mounted to the housing for rotation relative to the housing.The substrate is operably driven for rotation by the motor. A massagenode is mounted to the substrate for providing a massage effect. Aninfrared light emitting diode (LED) is disposed beneath the massagenode. A pair of conductive contacts are each mounted to one of thesubstrate and the housing. A pair of conductive brushes are each inengagement with one of the contacts and mounted to the other of thesubstrate and the housing relative to the corresponding contact formaintaining engagement during rotation of the substrate relative to thehousing. Two of the contacts and brushes are in electrical communicationwith the LED for conducing electricity from the housing to the LED.

Another embodiment according to the present invention discloses a methodfor providing a heated massage effect from a motorized massageapparatus. The method provides a massage apparatus with a massagemechanism, a PTC heater, and a plurality of infrared LEDs. A massageeffect is imparted from the massage mechanism. A warm-up operation isinitiated of the PTC heater and the LEDs. The warm-up operation of thePTC heater is discontinued upon the massage mechanism reaching apredefined temperature.

The above embodiments, and other embodiments, features, benefits, andadvantages of the present invention are readily apparent from thefollowing detailed description of embodiments of the invention whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body massager in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a backrest region of the bodymassager of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of amassage assembly of the body massager of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a circuit board of the massageassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating the circuit board of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a backrest region of a bodymassager in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial front perspective view of a backrestregion of a body massager in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrated partially disassembled;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a massagemechanism of the body massager of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a body massager in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, andsome features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details ofparticular components. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butmerely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art tovariously employ the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, a body massager is illustrated in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention and is referenced generallyby numeral 10. The body massager 10 includes a backrest region 12 and aseat support region 14. The internal assemblies of the backrest region12 and the seat support region 14 are collectively retained within aflexible cover 16, which is formed of a high quality vinyl. Of course,other materials such as leather may be employed for the cover 16. Thecover 16 provides a pivotal connection 18 at a lower longitudinal end ofthe backrest region 12 and a rearmost end of the seat support region 14.The flexible material of the cover 16 provides a living hinge at thepivotal connection 18 permitting user adjustment of an included anglebetween the backrest region 12 and the seat support region 14.

Massage effects provided by the body massager 10 include a kneadingmassage effect provided in the backrest support 12, which is operable toprovide the kneading massage effect longitudinally along the length ofthe backrest region 12. A rotary kneading massage effect that isprovided longitudinally along the backrest region 12 is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 7,128,721 which has been incorporated by reference herein.The seat support region 14 may provide a vibratory massage effect to theuser.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the backrest region 12 is illustrated ingreater detail. The backrest region 12 includes a forward housingportion 20 and a rearward housing portion 22 for retaining a massageassembly 24 therein. The rearward housing portion 22 includes a guide 26for guiding a carriage 28 of the massage assembly 24 longitudinallyalong the guide 26. The rearward housing portion 22 includes a series ofgibs 30 for retaining the carriage 28 against the guide 26.

The carriage 28 includes a motor 32 that is retained to the carriage 28by a cover plate 34. The motor 32 drives a worm 36, which consequentlydrives a pair of worm gears 38. Each of the worm gears 38 drive a spurgear 40 that drives a corresponding gear shaft 42 that extends throughthe cover plate 34. Each of the gear shafts 42 drive a massage bracket44 in opposed rotation for generating a rotating massage effect.

One of the worm gears 38 also includes a spur gear (not shown)underneath, which is engaged with and drives a reduction gear 46. A spurgear 48 of reduced diameter is mounted to the reduction gear 46 engagedwith a second reduction gear 50 for driving the second reduction gear 50with reduced rotation. The second reduction gear 50 is engaged with agear rack 52 formed on one of the retainer gibs 30. Thus, as the motor32 drives the worm 36, the massage brackets 44 are driven in reverserotation and the carriage 28 is driven longitudinally along the guide26. Although a massager 10 with a carriage 28 is illustrated anddescribed, the invention contemplates utilization of a massage assemblyin a stationary housing, that does not translate relative to anotherhousing.

Referring now to FIG. 3, output massage formations of the massageassembly 24 are illustrated in greater detail. A retainer bracket 54 ismounted to each massage bracket 44. A primary massage node 56 is mountedto each retainer bracket 54. In one embodiment, the retainer bracket 54is formed from a thermal plastic material. A secondary massage node 58is also mounted to the massage bracket 44. The massage nodes 56, 58 eachextend through one of a pair of longitudinal apertures 60 (FIG. 2)formed through the forward housing portion 20 for imparting a rotarykneading massage effect upon the body part of the user. The primarymassage node 56 and the secondary massage node 58 are each offset fromthe corresponding gear shaft 42 to provide the rotary kneading massageeffect as the massage bracket 44 is rotated relative to the carriage 28.

The primary massage nodes 56 each have a cavity 62 formed therein forreceiving a heater. In one embodiment, the heater is a positivetemperature coefficient (PTC) heater 64 that is disposed within thecavity 62 of the primary massage node 56. In at least one embodiment,the PTC heater 64 is mounted to a printed circuit board 66 that ismounted to the retainer bracket 54. The printed circuit board 66 for atleast one embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 with the PTC heater64 connected at points P1 and P2. A plurality of infrared light emittingdiodes (LEDs) D1, D2, D3, D4 are also mounted to the printed circuitboard 66. The infrared LEDs D1-D4 are in series; and the LEDs D1-D4 andthe PTC heater 64 are in parallel.

The printed circuit board 66 is wired to a pair of brush assemblies 68,70. Each brush assembly 68, 70 retains a contact 71 that is wired to theprinted circuit board 60. Also, each brush assembly 68, 70 includes acontact pin 72 that extends through the bottom of the massage bracket44. The contact pins 72 are urged downward by a spring 74. A cap 76 ofthe brush assembly is fastened to the massage bracket 44 for retainingthe spring 74, which urges the contact pins 72 downward and formaintaining electrical communication between the wiring from the printedcircuit board 66 and the contact pin 72. Each contact pin 72 may includean enlarged diameter for retaining the pin 72 relative to the massagebracket 44.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a pair of annular contact plates 78, 80 aremounted to the cover plate 34 beneath each massage bracket 44. Thecontact pin 72 of each brush assembly 70 is urged into engagement withone of the contact plates 78, 80. The contact plates 78, 80 are eachwired to selectively provide a source of electrical power to the heaters64, D1-D4. Since the contact pins 72 are maintained in engagement withthe contact plates 78, 80 as the pins 72 are rotated about the gearshaft 42 due to the rotation of the gear shaft 42 and the massagebracket 44, electrical power can be maintained to the heaters 64, D1-D4.

Referring again to FIG. 3, each primary massage node 56 is jointlyheated by the PTC heater 64 and the array of the infrared LEDs D1-D4.Although the PTC heater 64 is illustrated as being generally arcuate,any shape is contemplated. The PTC heater 64 is oriented directly belowthe primary massage node 56 for transferring heat to the primary massagenode 56. The LED array D1-D4 is provided by four equally spaced infraredLEDs mounted to the generally circular printed circuit board 66. EachLED is D1-D4 can be further and individually adjusted to focus the heatoutput into the primary massage node 56 with adjustment of the LEDsD1-D4 light output angle. The result is that the heat from the PTCheater 64 and from each LED D1-D4 can be uniformly overlapped on theunderside of the primary massage node 56 or focused on specific regionsof the primary massage node 56. In one embodiment, the primary massagenodes 56 are formed from a thermal plastic material to provide acomfortable and soothing rotary kneading massage effect, whileconcurrently conveying a heating massage effect.

The combination of the PTC heater 64 and the infrared LED D1-D4 arrayrapidly convey heat to the primary massage nodes 56 and consequently tothe user. Alternatively, the primary massage nodes 56 can be heated bythe PTC heater 64 alone, or the LED D1-D4 array alone.

Infrared rays allow heat to penetrate deep underneath the surface of theskin, causing the pores of the skin to be opened and promotingmetabolism and excretion of the body through increased bloodcirculation. Additionally, heating massage effects relieve tired musclesand promote circulation of the blood, thereby comforting and relaxingthe user. However, infrared LEDs D1-D4 do not rapidly heat the thermalplastic primary massage node 56. In contrast, the PTC heater 64 rapidlyheats the thermal plastic primary massage node 56. Thus, the PTC heaters64 are utilized in combination with LED arrays D1-D4 so that the PTCheaters 64 rapidly heat the primary massage nodes 56 for a rapid heatedmassage effect. For example, the PTC heaters 64 heat the primary massagenodes 56 to a desired heated massage temperature within one minute. Oncethe desired massage temperature is reached, the operation of the PTCheater 64 is discontinued. At that point, the infrared array D1-D4 isutilized for maintaining the massage temperature of the primary massagenode 56.

Referring again to FIG. 3, in the embodiment depicted, the secondarymassage nodes 58 do not include a heater. Thus, a massage effect isprovided with both a heated massage node 56 and an unheated massage node58. Thus, if the user intends to impart a targeted heating effect, suchtargeted application may be obtained by controlling the orientation ofthe primary massage node 56. Alternatively, the invention contemplatesthat a PTC heater 64 and/or a printed circuit board 66 with an LED arrayD1-D4 can be provided beneath the secondary massage node 58. To furtherenhance the rotary kneading massage effect provided by the primary andsecondary massage nodes 56, 58, a spring 82 is disposed between themassage bracket 44 and each of the massage nodes 56, 58 for urging themassage nodes 56, 58 into contact with a body part of the user whileproviding axial compliancy of the massage nodes 56, 58 relative to themassage bracket 44.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the body massager 10 includes a printedcircuit board 84 mounted to the rearward housing portion 22 forcontrolling operations of the massager 10. Likewise, a printed circuitboard 86 is provided within a remote controller 88 for controlling userselected operations of the massager 10. The printed circuit boards 84,86 collectively provide a controller for the massager 10. The controller88 permits the user to select various massage operations includingheating massage, and rotary kneading massage in combination with rollingmassage as the carriage 24 translates along the guide 26.

The remote controller 88 also permits the user to select a demonstrationmode. Such demonstration modes are useful for familiarizing the userwith the operation of the massager 10. The demonstration mode is alsouseful for demonstrating various massage effects that can be providedfrom the massager 10, such as at a point of sale display. During suchdemonstration operations, it is advantageous to quickly provide a heatedmassage effect to the user to demonstrate the heated massage effect andto inform the user of the operation. Likewise, it is advantageous torapidly inform a potential consumer of the heated massage effect. Thus,the demonstration operation imparts a massage effect from the massageassembly 24. The demonstration operation also conveys power to theprinted circuit board 66 which initiates a warm-up operation of the PTCheater 64 and the LED array D1-D4. Once the primary massage nodes 56reach the desired temperature, the warm-up operation of the PTC heater64 is discontinued.

The controller provided by the printed circuit boards 84, 86 maydiscontinue heat from the PTC heaters 64 by a predetermined period oftime. The predetermined period of time may be associated with a periodof time required for the LEDs D1-D4 to reach a predefined temperature tomaintain the predefined massage heat temperature. Alternatively, thepredetermined period of time may be associated with the PTC heater 64reaching a predefined temperature.

PTC heaters experience an increase in electrical resistance as thetemperature is raised. Thus, the PTC heater 64 may discontinue thewarm-up operation upon the PTC heater 64 reaching a predefinedtemperature. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the PTC heaters 64are each employed in parallel with the array of LEDs D1-D4. Therefore,the printed circuit board 66 can be wired in series thereby onlyrequiring one pair of brush assemblies 68, 70 and one pair of contactplates 78, 80 for powering both the PTC heater 64 and the array of LEDsD1-D4. After warm-up of the heaters 64, D1-D4 is initiated, the PTCheater 64 can shut off upon reaching a predefined temperature, and theLEDs D1-D4 continue to operate as they are in parallel with the PTCheater 64. If the temperature drops, the resistance of the PTC heaters64 drops, and the PTC heaters will provide heat again until the PTCheater reaches the predefined temperature.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment body massager 90 isillustrated. The body massager 90 is a two motor design similar to thatdisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0211962 A1,which published on Sep. 21, 2006 to Ferber et al. and is incorporated inits entirety by reference herein. The massager 90 includes a rearwardhousing portion 92 and a forward housing portion 94. A massage assembly96 includes a carriage 98 for translating along a guide 100 in therearward housing portion 92. The carriage 98 includes a first motor 102and a second motor 104 for separately driving the massage andtranslation operations. The first motor 102 drives a first transmission106 for driving a pair of massage brackets 108 in reverse rotation. Eachof the massage brackets 108 is provided with a primary massage node 110and a secondary massage node 112 for collectively providing a rotarykneading massage effect. The second motor 104 drives a secondtransmission 114 for driving the carriage 98 along the guide 100.Similar to the prior embodiment, each of the primary massage nodes isprovided with a PTC heater 64 on a printed circuit board 66 that alsoincludes an array of infrared LEDs D1-D4. A pair of brush assemblies 68are mounted to the massage brackets 108 in electrical communication withthe printed circuit board 66 for engaging a pair of contact plates 116,118 that are provided on a cover plate 120 of the massage assembly 96.

By utilizing separate motors 102, 104 for controlling the translationand the rotary kneading massage separately, a user may selectivelyadjust a longitudinal position of the primary massage nodes 110, as wellas a rotary orientation, thereby controlling a width of the primarymassage nodes 110. Thus, the user can selectively control the placementof the heaters 64, D1-D4 to a targeted area of the body part.Additionally, the user may selectively operate one or both motors 102,104 for receiving a longitudinal rolling massage effect, a rotarykneading massage effect, or a combination longitudinal rotary kneadingmassage effect. Each of these massage effects may be provided with orwithout the heating operation.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a body massager 122 is illustrated according toanother embodiment of the present invention. A backrest region 124 ofthe body massager 122 is partially illustrated with a forward housingportion removed for revealing a rearward housing portion 126. A massageassembly 128 includes a carriage 130 mounted to a guide 132 of therearward housing portion 126. The body massager 122 is similar to thatdisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0060851 A1,which published on Mar. 15, 2007 to Ferber et al., which is incorporatedin its entirety by reference herein.

The massage assembly 128 includes a pair of oscillating mechanisms 134,136 for oscillating a pair of massage arms 138, 140. Each massage arm138, 140 includes an upper roller 142, 144 and a lower roller 146, 148,which are oscillated by the massage arms 138, 140 as indicated by thearcuate arrows in FIG. 7. Thus, the massage assembly 128 provides akneading massage effect as the rollers 142, 144, 146, 148 are oscillatedrelative to the carriage 130. Additionally, the massage assembly 128provides a rolling massage effect as the carriage 130 is translatedalong the guide 132. Additionally, the massage assembly 128 alsoprovides a rolling and kneading massage effect as the carriage 130 istranslated along the guide 132 while the rollers 142, 144, 146, 148 areoscillated.

Referring now to FIG. 8, one of the massage arms 138 and the associatedrollers 142, 146 are illustrated exploded for revealing underlyingcomponents. Each of the rollers 142, 146 is mounted to a thermal plasticretainer bracket 150. Each roller 142, 146 includes a cavity 152 forreceiving a PTC heater 154 and a printed circuit board 156, whichincludes infrared LED array D1-D4. The PTC heater 154 is mounted to theprinted circuit board 156 and the printed circuit board 156 is fastenedto the retainer bracket 150. Each of the retainer brackets 150 ismounted to a massage bracket 158 that is mounted for rotation on thecorresponding massage arm 138. A pair of brush assemblies 160, 162 aremounted to the massage bracket 158. A pair of contact plates 164, 166are mounted to the massage arm 138 beneath each massage bracket 158. Thebrush assemblies 160, 162 each engage one of the contact plates 164,166. Thus, as the rollers 142, 146 roll along a body part of a user, themassage brackets 158 rotate relative to the massage arm 138 and theheaters 154, D1-D4 maintain electrical communication with the associatedpower circuit due to the engagement of the brush assemblies 160, 162with the annular contact plates 164, 166 as the brush assemblies 160,162 rotate with the rotation of the massage bracket 158.

The rapid heat transfer provided by the combination of the PTC heater154 and the array of infrared LEDs D1-D4 can be utilized in combinationwith a rolling kneading massager as illustrated for the body massager122 of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates another body massager 170 having a rearward housingportion 172 and a forward housing portion 174. A motor 176 is retainedwithin the housing portions 172, 174 for driving a worm 178. The worm178 is engaged to a pair of worm gears 180 for driving the worm gears180 in a reverse rotary direction. Each of the worm gears 180 includes aspur gear 182 formed on the underside, which is engaged with a reductiongear 184. Each of the reduction gears 184 is mounted to a gear shaft 186that extends through the forward housing portion 174. A massage bracket188 is mounted to each gear shaft 186 and driven thereby. A retainerbracket 190 is mounted to each massage bracket 188 offset from the axisof rotation provided by the associated gear shaft 186. A printed circuitboard 192 is mounted to each retainer bracket 190 and includes an LEDarray D1-D4 of infrared LEDs for providing the infrared heating effect.A PTC heater 194 is also mounted to the printed circuit board 192. Aconduction plate 196 is provided upon the PTC heater 194 and a primarymassage node 198 is mounted to the retainer bracket 190 with the LEDarray D1-D4, PTC heater 194 and conduction plate 196 housed within theprimary massage node 198.

The printed circuit board 192 is wired to a pair of brush assemblies 200that are mounted to the massage bracket 188. Each brush assembly 200includes a cap 202 for retaining a contact 204 that is wired to theprinted circuit board 192. A spring 206 is disposed beneath the contact204 for extending a pin 208 to the bottom of the massage bracket 188. Apair of annular contact plates 210, 212 are each mounted on the forwardhousing portion 174 so that the pins 208 of the brush assemblies 200maintain contact with the contact plates 210, 212 as the massagebrackets 188 are rotated relative to the forward housing portion 174.The contact plates 210, 212 are wired to a source of power for poweringthe printed circuit board 192 and consequently the infrared LED arrayD1-D4 and the PTC heater 194. A secondary massage node 214 is alsoprovided upon the massage bracket 188 for complimenting the heatedrotary massage effect with an unheated rotary massage effect. A spring216 is mounted beneath the retainer bracket 190 for providing axialcompliancy of the primary massage node 198. Likewise, a spring 218 isprovided beneath the secondary massage node 214 to provide axialcompliancy. Further, another spring 220 is provided between the massageplate 190 and the primary massage node 198 to maintain engagement of theconduction plate 196 within the primary massage node 198.

The body massager 170 illustrates a heated rotary kneading massageeffect provided by a stationary housing 172, 174. Thus, the inventioncontemplates utilization of various heating massage effects includingstationary housing and housings that provide a carriage for translatingthe heated massage effect along a body part of a user.

Although various kneading massage assemblies are illustrated anddescribed, the invention contemplates utilization of the PTC heater incombination with the infrared LED for providing a rapid warm-up of theimparted massage heat operation for various massage assemblies.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe allpossible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in thespecification are words of description rather than limitation, and it isunderstood that various changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A massage apparatus comprising: a housing; a motor oriented in thehousing; a substrate mounted to the housing for rotation relativethereto, and operably driven for rotation by the motor; at least onemassage node mounted to the substrate for providing a massage effect; apositive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater disposed beneath the atleast one massage node; a pair of conductive contacts each mounted toone of the substrate and the housing; and a pair of conductive brusheseach in engagement with one of the contacts and mounted to the other ofthe substrate and the housing relative to the corresponding contact formaintaining engagement during rotation of the substrate relative to thehousing; wherein two of the contacts and brushes are in electricalcommunication with the PTC heater for conducting electricity from thehousing to the PTC heater.
 2. The massage apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising at least one infrared light emitting diode (LED) disposedbeneath the at least one massage node, wherein two of the contacts andbrushes are in electrical communication with the at least one LED forconducting electricity from the housing to the at least one LED.
 3. Themassage apparatus of claim 2 wherein the at least one LED furthercomprises a plurality of LEDs.
 4. The massage apparatus of claim 2further comprising a controller for controlling the operation of themassage mechanism, the PTC heater, and the at least one LED, thecontroller being adapted to: receive an input signal for requesting ademonstration operation of the massage apparatus; imparting a massageeffect from the massage mechanism; and initiating a warm-up operation ofthe PTC heater and the at least one LED such that the warm-up operationof the PTC heater is discontinued upon the massage mechanism reaching apredefined temperature.
 5. The massage apparatus of claim 2 furthercomprising a circuit board mounted to the substrate, wherein the atleast one LED and the PTC heater are connected to the circuit board, andtwo of the contacts and brushes are in electrical communication with thecircuit board for conducting electricity from the housing to the circuitboard.
 6. The massage apparatus of claim 5 wherein the at least onemassage node includes a cavity formed in its underside and the at leastone LED is mounted to the circuit board and extends into the cavity. 7.The massage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pair of conductive contactsare each mounted to the housing, and the pair of conductive brushes areeach mounted to the substrate in electrical communication with the PTCheater for conducting electricity from the contacts to the PTC heater.8. The massage apparatus of claim 7 wherein the contacts are generallyannular.
 9. The massage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substraterotates about an axis and the at least one massage node is offset fromthe axis and mounted for rotation to the substrate.
 10. The massageapparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one massage node is furtherdefined as a first massage node and the massage apparatus furthercomprises a second massage node mounted for rotation to the substrate,spaced apart from the first massage node.
 11. The massage apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein the second massage node does not include a heater. 12.The massage apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a thermal plasticbracket mounted to the substrate, wherein the PTC heater and the atleast one massage node are mounted to the thermal plastic bracket. 13.The massage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is further definedas a carriage mounted to a guide for translation along the guide. 14.The massage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one massage nodeincludes a cavity formed in its underside and the PTC extends into thecavity.
 15. A massage apparatus comprising: a housing; a motor orientedin the housing; a substrate mounted to the housing for rotation relativethereto, and operably driven for rotation by the motor; at least onemassage node mounted to the substrate for providing a massage effect; atleast one infrared light emitting diode (LED) disposed beneath the atleast one massage node; a pair of conductive contacts each mounted toone of the substrate and the housing; and a pair of conductive brusheseach in engagement with one of the contacts and mounted to the other ofthe substrate and the housing relative to the corresponding contact formaintaining engagement during rotation of the substrate relative to thehousing; wherein two of the contacts and brushes are in electricalcommunication with the at least one LED for conducting electricity fromthe housing to the at least one LED.
 16. A method for providing a heatedmassage effect from a motorized massage apparatus comprising: providinga massage apparatus with a massage mechanism, a positive temperaturecoefficient (PTC) heater, and a plurality of infrared light emittingdiodes (LEDs); imparting a massage effect from the massage mechanism;initiating a warm-up operation of the PTC heater and the LEDs; anddiscontinuing the warm-up operation of the PTC heater upon the massagemechanism reaching a predefined temperature.
 17. The method of claim 16further comprising discontinuing the operation of the PTC heater uponthe LEDs reaching a predefined temperature.
 18. The method of claim 16further comprising discontinuing the operation of the PTC heater uponthe PTC heater reaching a predefined temperature.
 19. The method ofclaim 16 further comprising discontinuing the operation of the PTCheater after a predetermined period of time.
 20. The method of claim 19wherein the predetermined period of time is less than one minute.